ECB proposes new 100-balls-per-innings city-based competition... on top of T20 Blast

The ECB today announced shock proposals for a new format of the game when it was revealed their new eight-team tournament in 2020 will be played over 100 balls per innings and not Twenty20. 

The competition will see teams bowl 15 traditional six-ball overs but with another ten balls to be used tactically in the innings. Further details are still to be decided. 

The proposals were presented to the 18 counties and the MCC at Lord’s this morning after consultation with broadcasters.

The new idea will make it distinct from the existing county Vitality Blast competition that will continue to run when the ECB launches this new city-based competition in two summers’ time.

“This is a fresh and exciting idea which will appeal to a younger audience and attract new fans to the game,” said Tom Harrison, the ECB’s chief executive. “Throughout its development, we have shown leadership, provided challenge and followed a process. We will continue to do that as the concept evolves.

“Our game has a history of innovation and we have a duty to look for future growth for the health and sustainability of the whole game. There are 18 First Class Counties, playing red and white ball cricket, at our core and these Counties and competitions will be supported, promoted and benefit from the game’s growth.”

The ECB piloted Twenty20 15 years ago and it has gone on to dominate and change the game. But since then the ECB has fallen behind India and Australia, where Twenty20 competitions have become hugely successful.

Now the board feels it has to innovate again in order to give its new tournament a distinct identity.

“The development team has had strong support and encouragement in its conversations to date and it’s time to take the concept wider as we build the detail,” said Sanjay Patel, the managing director of the new competition.

“This is 100-ball cricket, a simple approach to reach a new generation. Based on fifteen traditional 6-ball overs, the other ten balls will add a fresh tactical dimension. Crucially, this will also help differentiate this competition from Vitality Blast and other T20 competitions worldwide, maintaining our game’s history of successful innovation.

“The players and our valuable broadcast partners under the new TV partnerships from 2020-24 are vital to the success of this competition and they will see the energy, excitement and simplicity of this approach.”

The new tournament will include eight teams based at the traditional Test venues. A player draft will be held and it looks likely the names of the teams will carry some association with the venues but not use existing county identities. 

Eight matches will be shown live on free-to-air television on the BBC, with the rest on Sky Sports after the ECB signed a £1.2 billion rights deal last year.

The competition will be mirrored in the women’s game too.

“To build the women’s and men’s competitions and identities together, side by side, is a prospect that few sports ever have and will give us greater reach, scale and prominence,” said Clare Connor, the ECB’s director of women’s cricket. “It will attract more women and girls to the game, ensure that cricket reaches and entertains more families and give our players an exciting stage upon which to display their talent.”